Jessica Kurten has jumped up to sixth in the world rider rankings, which is the first time she has broken into the top ten in an international career spanning almost 20 years.
Kurten has moved up from 12th to sixth, demoting German Ludger Beerbaum one slot in the process.
Corkman Billy Twomey is next best of the Irish in 50th, up from 59th.
Kurten's application for three World Cup invitations to Stuttgart, Geneva and Mechelen were all rejected at a selectors meeting last night, but her new ranking now guarantees her automatic entry to all World Cup fixtures.
